Cigarette package forming machine



Oct 1940- A. MELETTI CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1939 Inventor LEdaQJLJKaZettzJ QMN llllllllllllll Moray Oct. 1, 1940. A M L TT, 2,216,447

CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1939 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1939 l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 1Illlllmllulllllllltllulmww QNN! mw Q 31 $1 n t mm 51 @W Al kw Oct. 1, 1940.

A. MELETTI CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE 1'1 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 16, 1939 1720612601" .AdOZpJL G/ Zettzj J &

Oct 1940- A. MELETTI CIGARETTE PACKAGE FURMING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor Mp/Z fieledtzl .jfittozvagy Filed Feb. 16, 1939 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 1, 1940. T'fl 2,216,447

CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1939 ll Shoets-Sheet '7 ww BM QW Oct. 9 A. MELETTI CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE I1 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb 16, 1939 j dolplzflelettll Oct. 1, 1940. MELETT! 2,216,447

CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Fild Feb. 16, 1939 ll Sh0ets-Sheet 9 111 it 1z0 +4 Oct. 1, 1940. -n' 2,216,447

CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 1O dfi ttor ag.

Oct. 1, 1940. 'n 2,216,447

CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1939 11 Shoets-Sheet 11 Z36 l c f .35. M1 Aw- M. =1: 5 546' I 254 O 1 A K 272 P 272 z I 575 53 r m I Z i 3/5 r I l I I l I Patented Oct. 1, 1940 CIGARETTE PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Adolph Meletti, Philadelphia, Pa... assignor to Bernard J. Tamarin, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application February 16, 1939, Serial No. 256,673

27 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting tape or ribbon into a package endlosing stacked articles. More particularly, the invention contemplates the provision of a machine devised for r the mechanical insertion of such a tape into a pose of associating a length of flexible tape with the cigarette package and with certain cigarettes therein, in such a manner that said tape, when subjected to a continuous pull, will perform three successive operations: first, break the package go seal; second, open the package flaps; and third,

eject certain cigarettes.

It is also an important feature of the invention to provide a mechanism of the character mentioned including coordinated, cofunctioning 25 mechanisms, whereby:

1. Certain cigarettes are withdrawn from their package as the package is fed through the machine;

2. A length of flexible tape or ribbon is drawn 30 and cut;

3. The intermediate portion of said length of tape is brought into position over the opening in the package caused by the removal of the cigarettes;

35 4. The cigarettes are returned to place within the package while forcing the intermediate portion of the flexible tape into the latter to encircle the returned cigarettes;

5. One end of the flexible tape is secured to the in p 6. The package is closed by folding the side flaps thereof while the free end portion of the tape is guided to .become convoluted about said flaps, whereby the package may be sealed by 45 means of a stamp amxed to the package to overlay the folded flaps thereof and the overlapping part of the tape.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may bereadily understood by those skilled in the art, I have, in the accompanying 55 drawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out a possible embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan of the machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figure 4 is a face elevation of one end of the machine looking in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a face elevation of the other end of the machine looking in the direction of arrow B in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken on line 86 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on line l-l of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating .the manner of mounting a control gear in my machine to take up wear and prevent slippage.

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating the mode of mounting in the machine a driving gear for its accurate adjustment.

Figure 11 is a section taken on line ll-ll of Figure 10. 1

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating the construction of one of the carriage guides embodied in the machine.

Figure 13 is a section taken on line |3l3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail partly in section illustrating portions of the cigarette engaging, removing, and replacing mechanism in one of its operative positions.

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing the associated parts in another position.

Figure 17 is a cross sectional detail illustrating portions of the cigarette engaging, removing, and replacing mechanism and of the tape guide member in position for the insertion of the tape into the cigarette package.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 17 illustrating the parts in position during the return of the cigarettes and insertion of the tape.

Figure 20 illustrates portions of the mechanism represented in Figure 19 and shows the relative position of the parts at the beginning of the raising movement of the tape guide member.

Figure 21 is a sectional detail illustrating the cigarette stripping action of :the mechanism.

Figure 22 is in enlarged cross sectional detail of a portion of the tape feeding and pulling mechanism in operative position.

Figure 23 is an enlarged section taken substantially along line 2828 of Figure 22.'

Figure 24 is an enlarged section taken substantially along line 24-24 of Figure 22 but illustrating the gripping jaws of the tape pulling mechanism in action.

Figure 25 is a cross sectional detail of the tape cutting mechanism in operation.

Figure 26 is a section taken on line 2828 of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is an enlarged sectional detail of the the tape tensioning means taken substantially on line 2'|2'| of Figure 4.

Figure 28 is a top plan on an enlarged scale of the tape glueing and package closing mechanisms.

Figure 29 is a side elevation of the same with the parts held in one position.

Figure 30 is a view similar to Figure 29 but showing the parts in another position.

Figures 31 to 36 inclusive are diagrammatic representations illustrating the various stages of the tape glueing and package closing mechanisms during the function of my machine.

Figure 37 is a perspective of a complete package as produced by' the machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, the machine embodying the present invention may be stated to comprise a supporting base III of any suitable construction, for instance, as shown herein, consisting of a pair of upright relatively spaced paralleling end frames I2 and a horizontally disposed table l4 spanning said frames and fixed thereon. Arranged upon the table l4 to extend longitudinally thereof is a guideway i8 adapted to receive the cigarette packages to be fed through, and treated by, the machine in the manner to be hereinafter described.

The cigarette packages P may be fed into the guideway and through the machine directly from an ordinary well known package-forming machine whenever it is desirable to utilize my ejector strip inserting machine in conjunction with such known package forming machines. If, however, my improved machine is to be used as an individual unit, then the packages may be fed by hand, or by means of a suitable pusher mechanically associated with the driving mechanism of the machine to operate in timed relation therewith.

The cigarette packages P are fed through the machine in their'tuck stage, that is, with their end flaps E closed, but their side flaps S open, in the manner illustrated in the drawings.

Disposed adjacent the discharging end portion of the guideway 18 and fixed to the table l4 by means of bushings l8 on each side of said guideway I 8 are upright tubular members 28, each receiving internally a sliding rod 22, passing through the table I4 as more clearly indicated at 24 in Figure 7, and extending below the latter. The lower extended extremities of the rods 22 are interconnected, as shown at 28, by means of a cross-piece 28 so that said rods may be moved up and down in unison by actuation of the driving mechanism of the machine, to be subsequently explained.

Fixedly connected to the upper end portion of the rods 22 is a pair of relatively spaced paralleling brackets 30 and 32, disposed in a plane at substantially right angles to that of said rods 22 and adapted to move up and down therewith. For that purpose, a slot 84 (Figure 7) is cut into, and longitudinally of, each tubular member 28, thelength of said slots being sufilcient to allow the full stroke of the rods without interference from the brackets 88 and 82.

Rigidly carried by said brackets 88 and 82 and vertically supported thereby to follow the up and down movements thereof, is a plate 38 having a bearing 88 bolted, or otherwise secured, thereto and provided, as clearly shown in Figures 14 and 19, with a central bore 48 and a pair of lateral bores 42, one on each side'of said central bore and diametrically aligned therewith. Snugly received into the central bore 48 of the bearing 38 and made rigid therewith is a sheathlike member 44 having its major portion extended upwardly from said bearing and enclosing a coil spring 48 which is disposed to encircle a rod 48 and adapted to constitute a yieldable connection between said rod and sheath 44.

Suspended from the lower extremity of the rod 48, as shown at 58 (Figure 14), and normally urged downwardly by action of the spring 48 is a generally inverted U shaped element 52 having its ends bent to form foot extensions '54.

Passing through the lateral bores 42 in the bearings 38 and keyed to the latter by means of lock bolts 58, or like securing elements, are pointed pins 58 extending downwardly from said bearing and through openings 88 (Figure 14) in the inverted generally U shaped member 52 to'normally lay between the depending branches of the latter above the foot extensions 54 thereof. A block 82, preferably of oval configuration and provided with a pair of apertures 84 (Figure 14) formed to snugly receive the free end portions of the pins 58 therethrough, is placed upon said pins and rigidly retained in position thereon for the purpose to be later specified.

The mechanism so far described is operable for first engaging and removing certain cigarettes C from the package P and subsequently returning the removed cigarettes into their original position within the package. These successive operations of the cigarette removing and returning mechanism are had through the up and down movements of the pointed pin carrying assembly. Motion is imparted to said assembly by means of a lever 84 having one end portion pivotally connected, as at 88, to the cross beam 28 uniting the sliding rods 22, and having its other end portion pivoted, as indicated at 88, on a support 18 suitably mounted on the frame l8.

Conveniently arranged upon the intermediate portion of the lever 84, as more clearly indicated in Figure 7 of-the drawings, is a roller 12 disposed for riding engagement within a cam groove 14 eccentrically cut in a disc I5 carried by a stub shaft 18 provided with a gear I8 enmeshed with a companion gear 88 keyed, or otherwise fixed, upon a driving shaft 8! rotatably mounted in suitable bearings on the machine frame I 8. Thus it will be appreciated that with rotation of the cam 14 through the gearing described, the lever 84 will be caused to rock about the pivot 88, as indicated by the arrow J (Figure 7), the rocking movement of said lever imparting a reciprocating motion in the direction indicated by the arrow K to the rods 22 and the elements associated therewith. In order to assist the lever 84 in its rocking movement by overcoming the load imposed thereon, there may be provided a counter-balancing spring 88 having one end connected to the free extremity of said lever and the other end connected toa convenient portion of the machine frame I8.

Arranged on one side of the machine frame I8 is a support 82 for a spool 83 on which is wound a strip of flexible material, such as tape or ribbon 84, adapted to be fed into the machine by means of a pair of feeding rollers 88 interconnected by gears 81 and rotatably mounted in a bearing 88 fixed to a support 98 rigidly secured on the table I4 of said frame I8.

In order to facilitate the feeding of the tape 84 in fiat condition, there may be provided a resilient device 92 engaging said tape and operating to maintain the same under proper tension for its engagement with the feeding rollers 88.

The device 92 preferably consists of a vertically supported track member 84 of square cross-sectional formation and enclosing a slidable tape engaging weighted roller 88 suspended in said track member by springs 81.

The feeding rollers 88 are intermittently rotated by means of a bevel gear connection 88 actuated through a master gear I88 fixed upon a shaft I82 driven from the driving shaft 8| through gearing I84. The master gear I88 has teeth I88 only upon one segment of its circumference so that, with rotation of the driven shaft I82, the toothed segment of the gear will engage the gearing connection 88 only at certain predetermined times so that the feeding rollers 88 will be rotated at spaced timed intervals.

Disposed for cooperation with the feeding rollers 88 is a tape pulling and measuring mechanism II 8 adapted to grasp the end of the fed tape and draw the same through a guide member II I for the purpose to be presently described.

The tape pulling and measuring mechanism II8 consists of a revolving arm II2 rotatably mounted in a bracket II3 carried by supports H4 suitably fixed upon the table I4 of the machine frame I8. Rotation is imparted to the arm I I2 by means of a bevel gear connection I I5 actuated through a master gear II8 fixed upon the driven shaft I82. The arm H2 is disposed to revolve in a vertical plane in line with the outlet H8 (see Figure 22) through which the tape 84 is fed, and with a channel I28 cut in the tape guide member III, said channel being formed to receive one end portion I22 of said arm during its revolutions. For that purpose, the channel I28 has a semi-circular configuration, as clearly illustrated in the drawings. The end portion I22 of the arm H2 is provided with gripping jaws I24 and I28, one jaw I24 preferably being made integrally with the arm, and the other jaw I28 being carried on the arm for movement towards and away from the jaw I 24. The movable jaw I28 is normally held away from the fixed jaw I24 by means of a leaf spring I28, in the manner illustrated in Figure 22.

In the rotary motion of the arm I, the end portion I22 thereof is brought in such a position that the gripping jaw may engage the fed tape 84, whereupon, with the continued motion of said arm, frictional elements such as balls I38 retained in a bore I3I and normally urged outwardly from the opposite sides of the movable jaw I28 by means of a coil spring I32, are brought in contact with the adjacent edges I34 of the member III. Thus said movable jaw I28 is held in place against the action of the leaf spring I28 until the fixed jaw I 24 reaches the jaw I28 to grip firmly the tape 84 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 24.

With further movement of the arm II2, the

friction between the elements I88 and contactin edges I34 is overcome, forcing said elements partially within the bore I3I, the elements then snugly engaging the diametrically opposite walls of the channel I28 and accordingly drawing the tape 84 therethrough. Upon leaving the channel I28, the movable jaw I28 is returned by the influence of the spring I28 to its normal position away from the fixed jaw I24, thus disengaging the length of tape 84 which remains in the channel I28. At approximately the same time as the length of tape is released in the channel I28, the tape feeding mechanism stops and the tape is cut at the outlet II8 of said feeding mechanism. The cutting of the tape is preferably accomplished automatically by means of the mechanism to be presently described.

Mounted upon the bracket H4 is a bearing I38 receiving a rotatable shaft I88 terminating at one end with a cutter I48 disposed adjacent to the outlet II8 of the feeding mechanism. The other end of the shaft I38 is provided with a lateral extension I42 disposed in the path of movement of the end I44 of the revolving arm I I2 so that, as more clearly illustrated in Figure 25, when the end I44 contacts with the extension I42, the shaft I38 is oscillated, causing the cutter I48 to sever the tape 84 in the manner indicated in Figures 25 and 26. Because of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the cutting action of the cutting mechanism is synchronized with the rotating movement of the arm II2.

It will be noted, particularly upon reference to Figure 6, that the proper registration of the gripping jaw end portion I 22 of the revolving arm II2.with the outlet II8 of the tape feeding mechanism is assured by means of a spring actuated finger I45 conveniently mounted upon the bracket II3 to contact the end I44 of said arm, thus acting as a brake for the latter when reaching its tape gripping position.

It will also be noted that the actuation of the feeding mechanism and the operation of the tape drawing arm II2 are timed so that the tape is drawn as it is being fed through the machine.

For that purpose, the driving bevel gear connection II5 of the revolving arm H2 is constructed for intermittent operation to correspond with the actuation of the bevel gear connection II8 of the feeding mechanism, in that the master gear H8 is provided with teeth I48 upon only one segment thereof.

Attention is particularly called to the fact that the bevel gear connections H8 and H5 may be relatively adjusted to a fineness which assures the proper relation in their respective operations. Accordingly, as will more clearly appear from Figures 8 and 9, the gearings are provided with a collar I48 having one of its sides flattened, as indicated at I48, adapted for frictional engagement with a spring pressed block I58 acting to hold the gearing connection shaft I52 against accidental rotation, thereby taking up the wear and preventing relative slippage between the two mentioned gearing connections, while the master gear I I8 may be adjusted relatively to the master gear I88 with minute precision. The preferred construction of the master gear I I8 to accomplish this desired result will be apparent upon reference to Figures and 11. As shown in said figures, the hub I54 of the gear I I8 is freely received upon the shaft I82 and has secured thereon by means of a bolt I58, 9. projecting block I88 disposed to contact with diametrically opposed stop bolts I66 adjustable in a collar I62 keyed, or otherwise fixed, upon the shaft I62.

The main purpose of the guide member III is to position the length of-tape 84' drawn in the channel I26 thereof over the cigarette package P to introduce the intermediate portion 644: of said length of tape in the package with the return of the withdrawn cigarettes C therein. For that reason, the guide member I I I is slidably supported upon tracks I64 and disposed for loose engagement within a slotted portion I 66 of a reciprocable carriage I66 having substantially circular portions I68 in snug sliding engagement with semi-circular guideways I16 longitudinally mounted upon the table I4 of the machine frame In order to compensate for the wear that may occur between the contacting surfaces of the carriage portions I66 and their guideways I16, said portions, as more clearly shown in Figures 12 and 13, are formed in two sections, an upper section I68a rigid with the carriage, and a lower section I66b detachably connected to the upper section by means of a screw I69 or the like. In this manner, shims "I may be interposed between the sections I66a and I68b whenever it is found necessary to reestablish the snug sliding engagement between the portions I 66 and guideways I16. Moreover, wear between said parts may be reduced to a minimum by pouring a suitable lubricating oil into the guideways to a substantial level, as indicated at LL, the bottom surface of the lower section I68b being flattened, as at I68c, to provide a free space for the flow of said lubricating oil.

The carriage I66 engaging the tape guide member III is adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally of the machine in the direction indicated by the arrow M in Figure 1 and, for that purpose, is connected to a yoke I12 having a portion I14 disposed beneath the frame table I4 and pivotally connected, as indicated at I16, to one end of a rocking lever I16, the other end of said lever being pivoted as at I66 to a support I6I suitably fixed on the machine frame I6. Arranged upon the intermediate portion of the rocking lever I16 is a roller I82 in engagement with a barrel cam I64 rigid with the driven shaft I 62.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that, with rotation of the driven shaft I62 and the barrel cam I84 thereon, the rocking lever I18 will move the carriage I66 with the tape guide member III back and forth from a position for cooperation with the tape drawing and cutting mechanism, to a position for cooperation with the cigarette withdrawing and returning mechanism. Of course, it will be appreciated that the barrel cam I84 is so shaped as to effect the placement of the carriage I66 with the tape guide member III in their various positions in timed relation with actuation of the tape drawing and cutting mechanism and the cigarette returning function of the cigarette withdrawing and returning mechanism, for the purpose which will more clearly appear from the description of the machine operation to be hereinafter explained.

As previously stated, the intermediate portion 64a of the length of tape 64' drawn into the channel I26 of the guide member III, is intended to be forced into the cigarette package by the return of the cigarettes into said package. Accordingly, the intermediate section of the guide member III is provided with a funnel-like portion I86 disposed to register with the opening 0 created in the package P by the removal of the cigarettes Cwhen said guide member is brought in position for cooperation with the cigarette withdrawing and returning mechanism. The registration of the funnel-like portion I66 is assured by means of diametrically opposed hinged gate plates I66 arranged to depend from the underside of the guide member I II and resiliently urged to converge towards each other in the manner more clearly represented in Figure 1'1, said gate plates moreover serving as means to strip the cigarettes off their engaging means when returned into the package, as will be more particularly pointed out in the description to follow.

The guide member III in its function to position the length of tape 64' for its introduction into the cigarette package, is adapted to come to rest upon the open top of the package, as more clearly represented in Figure 19. For that purpose, the length of the supporting tracks I64 is calculated to terminate at a point to allow the guide member III to descend while the lower walls I69 of the carriage slotted portions I66 are predisposed to be substantially aligned with the top of the package so that the underside of the guide member III abuts said walls and rests over the package top.

In order to lift the guide member III to a position where it may again slide on the tracks I64, there are provided telescoping rods I96 headed with studs I92 adapted for engagement with recesses I96 cut in said guide member III. The stud headed rods I96 are slidably received within the tubular members I66 rigidly connected by means of brackets I96 to the plate 66 for up and down movement therewith. In the up movement, it will be understood that, because of the engagement between the stud headed rods I66 and the guide member III, the latter is lifted above the tracks I64 so that the guide member may slide thereon with movement of the lever I16 in the direction of arrow M (Figure 1). The telescoping rods I96 are preferably hollowed out to receive internal springs 266 acting between said rods I96 and their respective enclosing tubular reason of the action of springs 266, serve to stabilize the loose guide member III in its position over the package for the introduction of the length of tape 84' therein.

Mounted upon the machine frame table I4 and pivoted thereto, as indicated at 262, are cam flngers 264 disposed to be brought in engagement with the underside of the guide member I I I when in its lowered position to slightly lift the same against the bearing action of the spring pressed rods I96 for the purpose to be explained hereinafter. The cam fingers 264 are moved to engage said guide member by means of camming bars 266 rigid with one of the brackets I96 and depending therefrom so that when said bracket is displaced to its lowermost position with the downward movement of the plate 36, the camming bars 266 will contact the cam fingers 264 and thus actuate the same to raise the guide member III to the position illustrated in Figures 16 and 20.

In order to assure the replacement of the cam fingers 264 to neutral position (the position represented in Figure 18), said fingers are formed with offset portions 268 adapted to be engaged by the stud headed rods I96, as indicated in Figures 14 and 15, when said rods I96 are not cooper- III ating with the guide member III, the rods thus acting to tilt the cam fingers which then remain in such tilted position until once more acted upon by the camming bars 206.

In the operation of the machine as so far described, the cigarette packages in their tuck stage are fed into the guideway I6 in the manner already stated. When a package reaches a position beneath the cigarette engaging mechanism, the

same is lowered through the function of the cam disc I5 and associated lever 64. In this lower= ing movement, as will clearly appear upon reference to Figure 14, the foot extensions 54 of the inverted U shaped element 52 are,brought upon the folded end flaps E of the package P and yieldingly bear thereon, thus positively holding the package'while the pointed pins 58 proceed to impale the cigarettes C. At the same time, the stud headed rods I90 contact the cam fingers which, however, are prevented from moving by reason of their engagement with the lowered camming fingers 206. In the continued operation of the machine, the cam disc I5 and associated lever 64 function to raise the cigarette engaging mechanism, accordingly withdrawing the impaled cigarettes C out of the package P and holding them suspended, as represented in Figure 17, the camming bars 206 in the meantime having disengaged the cam fingers 204 which, because of the spring actuated rods I90, assume their tilted or neutral position.

During the function of the cigarette engaging mechanism, to impale and remove the cigarettes as stated, the machine operates to actuate the tape feeding, drawing, and cutting mechanism in the manner hereinbefore explained, so that by the time the cigarettes reach their suspended position, a length of tape 84 has been laid within the channel I20 of the guide member III and' said guide member has started in its movement towards said cigarette engaging mechanism by actuation of the carriage II4 through operation of-the barrel cam I84 and associated rocking lever II8. Thus, when the cigarettes reach their suspended position, the guide member Ill. becomes positioned between the suspended ciga-' rettes and the package from which they have just been withdrawn. In this position, the recesses I94 in the guide member I I I are in engagement with the studs I92 of the rods I90 which, it will be understood, have been raised to their uppermost position with the upward movement of the cigarette engaging mechanism. Accordingly, the guide member II I, with the length of tape 84' in the channel I20 thereof, is momentarily suspended above the package, the funnel-like portion I86 of said guide member being aligned with the suspended cigarettes and the opening 0 created in the package by the removal of said cigarettes.

At this time, the machine operates again through the functioning of the cam disc I5 and lever 64 to lower the cigarette engaging mechanism and all the elements associated therewith or carried thereby, including the suspended guide member III and cigarettes C. In the course of this lowering movement, the guide member III is brought to rest upon the package top, as previously described, the converging gate plates I88 entering into the opening 0 aforesaid and the underside of the guide member abutting the lower walls I89 of the slotted portions I of the carriage II4.

As the cigarette engaging mechanism continues in its lowering movement while the guide member III is held stationary atop the package by means of the telescoping stud headed rods I90 and cooperating walls I88 of the, carriage slotted portions I65, the cigarettes C, being guided by the funnel-like portion I86 of said guide member, are brought in contact with the tape intermediate portion 84a laying in said funnel-like portion, thus introducing said tape into the package with the return of the cigarettes therein.

It will be understood that as the tape and cigarettes are being introduced into the package, the hinged yielding gate plates I88 are spread apart and lay fiat against the surrounding cigarettes in the package, thus providing a smooth surface, facilitating the introduction of the tape and the return of the cigarettes C into the package. It will also be understood that the block 62 rigid on the pins 58 and fitting upon the top of thecigarettes, prevents the latter from movement relative to said pins when the cigarettes are being returned into the package.

As the cigarettes in engagement with the tape reach the bottom of the package, the camming bars 206 carried byand descending with the cigarette engaging mechanism contact the tilted cam fingers 205 (Figure 16) and straighten the same, thus slightly raising the guide member II I off the package in the manner represented in Figure 20. As shown in said Figure 20, the raising of the guide member III is sumcient to withdraw the gate plates I88 from the package so that the lower edges of said plates lie at a point immediately above the top of the cigarettes to engage the same.

Following the raising of the guide member III in the manner stated, the machine operates through the function of the cam disc I5 and lever 64 to elevate the cigarette engaging mechanism in relation to the guide member III}, which is maintained in its slightly raised position by reason of the spring actuated rods I90 so that the gate plates remain in engagement with the cigarettes, thus stripping the same off the pointed pins 58, as indicated in Figure 21.

It will be understood that with the continued elevation of the cigarette engaging mechanism, the stud headed rods I90 are ultimately caused to raise therewith, accordingly lifting the guide member and returning it to its suspended position shown in Figure 18, that is, to a point above the tracks I64. At that time, the machine operates through the barrel cam' I84 and associated lever I18 to slide the guide member I I I back to its position for cooperation with the tape feeding and drawing mechanisms for repetition of the cycle of operations aforesaid.

As hereinbefore stated, one end portion 84b of the flexible tape 84 associated with the cig- 'arettes and the package, is adapted to be secured to said package and the latter is then closed by folding the side flaps thereof while thefree end portion 840 of the tape is guided to become convoluted about the folded flaps. The various mechanisms embodied in the machine to perform these functions will now be described.

Rigidly mounted on the frame table I4 adjacent to the discharging end portion of the guideway I6 is an elongated plate 2I0 supported edgewise and disposed to extend at substantially right angles to said guideway. Arranged to slide upon the inner face of the plate 2I0 is a block 2I2 suitably connected through a link 2I4 attached to one end of a rocker arm 2I6 having its other end rigid with a stubshaft 2 I 8mounted for oscillation in the machine frame, in the manner more clearly shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Keyed, or otherwise secured, upon one end of the shaft 2|8 is a pinion 220 disposed for engagement with a rack 222 suspended on the machine frame by means of a bracket 224i and having an extension 226 carrying a pair of diametrically opposed relatively spaced rollers 228 adapted for riding engagement with a cam 238 mounted for rotation with the driven shaft 202. Thus it will be understood that through the rotation of the driven shaft 282, a reciprocating motion is imparted to the rack bar 222, which motion is transmitted to the block M2 by means of the rocker arm 2|6 and link 2|4.

Suitably connected to the block 2|2 for reciprocation therewith is a bracket 232 pivotally supporting a lever 234 carrying a glue-applying roller 236, and a lever 238 carrying a pressure-applying roller 240. These roller carrying levers 234 and 238 are disposedtoreciprocate withmovement of the block 2l2 on a line at right angles with the discharging end portion of the guideway l6 and over the cigarette package about to be expelled therefrom, as will more clearly appear upon reference to Figures 28 and 31.

Adapted to cooperate with the roller 236 of the lever 234 is a glue-supplying wheel 242 rotatably mounted in a glue pot 244 conveniently supported upon the machine frame table M, as indicated at 245 (Figure 3). The glue-supplying wheel 242 may be rotated by means of a ratchet 246 actuated by a pawl or dog 241. A suitable spring device 248 is associated with the lever 234 and acts thereon to urge the roller 236 thereof in position to contact with the wheel 246 when in position for cooperation therewith (Figures 28 and 29), or with the corresponding end flap E of the package when in position for cooperation with said package (Figures 30 and 31)..

Another suitable spring device 250 is associated with the lever 238 and acts thereon to urge the roller 248 thereof in contact with the cigarette package top, in the manner represented in said Figures 30 and 31. The lever 228, however, is adapted, when inactive, to be held in elevated position against the normal action of the spring device 258 (Fig. 29), and, for that purpose, the lever is provided with a rearwardly extended portion 252 having a lateral spring projectedpin 254 disposed to cofunction with a camming guide plate 256 supported in the path of movement of said pin by means of a bracket 258 secured to the outside of the elongated plate 218, as indicated at 268.

The camming guide plate 256 is formed with a straight upper edge 26l, an angular groove 262, a lower angular edge 264, and a straight lower edge 266, with which the projected end portion of the pin 254 is adapted to have riding engagement in the path of travel represented by the arrow in Figure 30 as the lever is reciprocated in the manner above stated.

The inner wall of the groove 262 may advantageously be slanted, as indicated at 268 in Figure 28, so that as the pin rides along said groove, it gradually recedes, to be subsequently snapped into engagement/with the angular edge 264 upon leaving said groove, thereby assuring the proper engagement of the pin with the angular edge 264 and its following engagement with the straight edge 266, for the purpose to be hereinafter specified.

From the foregoing description of the gluing mechanism, it will be appreciated that when the parts are in the position represented in Figures 28 and 29, that is, with the lever 288 held in elevated position by reason of the engagement of the pin 264 with the angular edge 284 of the plate 266, and the lever 234 in position for cooperation with the glue-supplying wheel 242, the roller 236, then being in contact with said wheel 242, will pick up a certain amount of glue so that, upon movement of said levers through actuation of the rocker arm M6 and associated elements to place the rollers in position for cooperation with the cigarette package, the glue will be applied by the roller 256 to the adjacent end flap E of the package 1? and to the corresponding side of the adjoining end portion 84b of the tape 84', as shown in Figure 31.

At the same time, the pin 254 having run off the lower straight edge 266 of the plate 256, the lever 253 drops upon the cigarette package P, as also shown in Figure 31. In this later position, the levers 234 and 238 are caused to be retracted in the direction of arrow N (Figure 31) through the reverse action of the rocker arm 2l6, whereupon the roller 236 moves away from the package P, followed by the roller 240 which engages the end portion 84b of the tape 84 and presses the same over the adjoining end flap of the package to effect an adhesion therebetween.

In the retracting movement of the levers, the pin 254 rides upon the upper edge 26I of the cam plate 256 and enters the angular groove 262 causing the lifting of the lever 238 to its initial position for subsequent repeated operation. In this retracting movement, the dog 241 mounted on the bracket 232 engages the ratchet 246 of the glue-supplying wheel 242 and thus moves the same.

Hinged upon the upper edge of the elongated plate 2l8 at a point thereon in direct line with the discharging end portion of the guideway I6, is a package side flap closer 218 normally forced upwardly, as more clearly illustrated in Figure 32, by means of a spring pressed pin 212 received in a bore 214 suitably formed in said plate 218. The closer 2l8 is preferably provided with a cam shaped flnger'216 adapted for engagement with a camming bar 218 carried in a support 280 for sliding reciprocating motion with the lever carrying bracket 235 through a connection 282.

Thus it will be appreciated that movement of the camming bar 218 from the position shown in Figure 29 to the position shown in Figure 30 will cause the hinged closer to be lowered, thereby folding the corresponding package side flap, as clearly illustrated in Figure 33.

Suitably mounted at the side of the discharging end portion of the guideway i6 and opposed to the hinged closer 218 is a fixed flap closing plate 284 adapted to engage the remaining side flap of the package, as represented in Figure 34,

and fold said remaining flap in overlapping relation to the flap folded by the hinged plate 218.

In order to support the free end portion 840 of the tape 84 and guide the same to effect its convolution about the package side flaps during the folding thereof, there is provided a wire 286 conveniently secured to the plate 218 and bent to extend above the flat closing plate'284. Also, in order to assure the proper overlapping relationship of the side flaps and convoluted free end portion 840 of the tape 84, there is provided a fixed cap plate 288 immediately following the flap folding plate 284 to receive the package as soon as the side flaps thereof are closed and the free end portion of the tape is folded thereover, and to maintain the same in place (Figure 35) for the application 'of a sealing stamp SS which may be the usual Government tax stamp (Figure 36).

When the machine is to be used as an independent unit, power may be supplied thereto through any suitable source, such as an electric motor 290 the power shaft 282 of which may be coupled to the drive shaft 8| of the machine by means of a clutch 294 capable of being controlled by the action of a manually operable clutch lever 296. If the machine is to be utilized in conjunction with a cigarette packer, then the motor may be dispensed with and the driven shaft l82 coupled to the power shaft of the packer in any suitable manner known in the art. Moreover, the machine may be operated manually, by means of a hand wheel 298 suitably connected to the driven shaft 16.

In the operation of the machine, it will be understood that as a cigarette package with the tape 84 introduced therein is moved by the oncoming packages through the guideway IE to be expelled therefrom, said package reaches the discharging end portion of the guideway. At this time, the machine operatesto cause the function of the gluing mechanism for the fixation of the ,end portion 84b of the tape to the package in the manner already described. Following the gluing stage, the package is brought in position under the hinged plate 210, whereupon said plate is depressed to fold the adjacent side flap of the package which is simultaneously pushed by means of the sliding block 2l2, towards the other closing plate 284 to effect the folding of the remaining side flap of the package.

As the package is being pushed further, it enters beneath the cap plate 288 while the bent wire 284 guides the free end portion 840 of the tape over the folded side flaps for the purpose hereinbefore mentioned. As the closed package leaves the machine and while it is partially held by the cap plate 288 in the manner indicated in Figure 36', the sealing stamp SS may be applied over the overlapping side flaps S and the tape portion 84c. In this manner, there is produced the complete package illustrated in Figure 37 the construction of which is similar to that disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,129,887 hereinbefore identified, so that upon exerting a pull on the free end 84c of the tape in the direction of the arrow X, the sealing stamp SS will be broken, the side flaps S opened, and the cigarettes, in engagement with the tape portion introduced into the package, ejected in accordance with the disclosure set forth in said patent.

In concluding, I wish to call attention to the fact that, whereas I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the machine, certainconstructional features thereof may be modified without departing from the gist of the invention. Accordingly, any modifications coming within the scope of the subjoined claims are to be considered within the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a mach me for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip in a package enclosing stacked articles: a mechanism operable for first engaging and removing certain of the articles from the package, and subsequently returning the removed articles into said package; and a mechanism cooperatively associated with the first mentioned mechanism to function between the article removing and article returning operations of the latter for placing a flexible strip over the package to be forced therein with the return of said articles. I

rial and placing the intermediate portion thereof I across the opening formed by the removal of the articles; and a mechanism operable between the article removing and article returning operations of the first mentioned mechanism for placing the intermediate portion of said strip across the opening formed by the removal of the articles, to be forced into the package with the return of said articles.

3. In a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip into a package enclosing stacked articles: a mechanism operable for first engaging and removing certain of the articles from the package, and subsequently returning the removed articles into said package, a mechanism for drawing a strip of flexible material and placing the intermediate portion thereof across the opening formed by the removal of the articles; a mechanism operable between the article removing and article returning operations of the first mentioned mechanism for placing the intermediate portion of said strip across the opening formed by the removal of the articles, to be forced into the package with the return of said articles; and a mechanism for securing one end of the strip to the package subsequent to the return of the removed articles with said portion of the strip into the package.

4. In a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip into a package enclosing stacked articles: a mechanism operable for first engaging and removing certain of the articles from the package, and subsequently returning the removed articles into said package; a mechanism for drawing a strip of flexible material and placing the intermediate portion thereof across the opening formed by the removal of the articles; a mechanism operable between the article removing and article returning operations of the first mentioned mechanism for placing the intermediate portion of said strip across the opening formed by the removal of the articles, to be forced into the package with the return of said articles; a mechanism for securing one end of the strip to the package subsequent to the return of the removed articles with said portion of the strip into the package; and mechanisms for closing the package with said portion of the strip enclosed therein.

5. In a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip into a package enclosing stacked articles: a mechanism operable for first engaging and removing certain of the articles from the package, and subsequently returning the removed articles into said package; a mechanism for drawing a strip of fiexible material and placing the intermediate portion thereof across the opening formed by the removal of the articles; a mechanism operable between the article removing and article returning operations of the first mentioned mechanism for placing the intermediate portion of said strip across the opening formed by the removal of the articles, to be forced into the package with the return of said articles; a mechanism for securing one end of the strip to the package subsequent to the return of the removed articles with said portion of the strip into the package; mechanism for closing the side flaps of the package with said portion of the strip enclosed therein; and means engageable with the free end of the strip for looping the same about the closed flaps of the package.

6. A machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into a cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the pack- ,age, thereby leaving an open space therein; a

mechanism operable for placing a strip of flexible material over the package so that its intermediate portion covers said open space; and means associated with said first mechanism for bringing the withdrawn cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package.

'7. A machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into a cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a strip of flexible material over the package so that its intermediate portion covers said open space; means associated with said first mechanism for bringing the withdrawn cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package; and a mechanism for securing one end portion of the strip to the package subsequent to the return of the cigarettes therein.

8. A machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip intoa cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a strip of flexible material over the package so that its intermediate portion covers said open space; means associated with said first mechanism for bringing the withdrawn cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package; a mechanism for securing one end portion of the strip to the package subsequent to the return of the cigarettes therein; a mechanism for closing the side flaps of the package with said portion of the strip enclosed therein; and means adapted for engagement with the free end of the strip for looping the same about the closed flaps of the package.

9. A machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into a cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism for drawing a predetermined length of a flexible strip, cutting the same, and placing the intermediate portion thereof over the space formed by the removal of the cigarettes; and means associated with the first mentioned mechanism for bringing the removed cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and simultaneously therewith returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package.

10. A machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into a cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism for drawing a predetermined length of a flexible strip, cutting the same, and placing the intermediate portion thereof over the space formed by the removal of the cigarettes; means associated with the first mentioned mechanism for bringing the removed cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and simultaneously therewith returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package; and a mechanism for closing the open end portion of the package.

11. A machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into a cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism for drawing a predetermined length of a flexible strip, cutting the same, and placing the intermediate portion thereof over the space formed by the removal of the cigarettes; means associated with the first mentioned mechanism for bringing the removed cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and simultaneously therewith returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package; a mechanism for securing one end portion of the strip to the package; and means for closing the open end portion of the package while looping the free end portion of the strip thereabout.

12. In combination with a cigarette packer, a machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into the cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a strip of flexible material over the package so that its intermediate portion covers said open space; and means associated with said first mentioned mechanism for bringing the withdrawn cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package.

13. In combination with a cigarette packer, a machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into the cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism for drawing a predetermined length of a flexible strip, cutting the same, and placing the intermediate portion thereof over the space formed by the removal of the cigarettes; means associated with the first mentioned mechanism for bringing the removed cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and simultaneously therewith returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package; a mechanism for securing one end portion of the strip to the package; and means for closing the open end portion of the package while looping the free end portion of the strip thereabout.

14. In combination with a cigarette packer, a machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into the cigarette package comprising: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a strip of flexible material over the package so that its intermediate portion covers said open space; means associated with said first mentioned mechanism for bringing the withdrawn cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package; and a mechanism for securing one end portion of the strip to the package subsequent to the return of the cigarettes therein.

15. In a machine for inserting a package opening and cigarette ejecting strip into the cigarette package: a mechanism operable for withdrawing a number of cigarettes from the package, thereby leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a strip of flexible material over the package so that its intermediate por- -tion covers said open space; means associated with said first mechanism for bringing the withdrawn cigarettes into contact with the intermediate portion of the strip and returning the cigarettes into said space, thereby forcing the intermediate portion of the strip within the package; a mechanism for securing one end portion of the strip to the package subsequent to the return of the cigarettes therein; and means for applying a seal over the folded side flaps to enclose a part of the looped portion of the strip.

16. In a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip in a package enclosing stacked articles: means for guiding a package through the machine; a mechanism com prising a support disposed for movement towards and away from the package and including means for engaging certain of the articles within the package and withdrawing said articles therefrom, leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a flexible strip over the open space thus formed in the package whereby, with the following movement of the first mentioned means towards the package, the withdrawn articles are brought in contact with the strip for forcing the same into the package; and means associated with the second mentioned mechanism and operable to effect the disengagement of the articles from the first mentioned mechanism, whereby said articles and strip are left within the package.

'17. In a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip in a package enclosing stacked articles: means for guiding a package through the machine; a mechanism comprising a support disposed for movement towards and away from the package and including means for engaging certain of the articles within the package and withdrawing said articles therefrom, leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a flexible strip over the open space thus formed in the package whereby, with the following movement of the first mentioned means towards the package, the withdrawn articles arebrought in contact with the strip for forcing the same into the package; means associated with the second mentioned mechanism and operable to effect the disengagement of the articles from the first mentioned mechanism, whereby said articles and strip are left within the package; and a mechanism operable for applying an adhesive to one end portion of said strip and securing the same to the package.

18. In a machine for inserting a package openclosing stacked articles: means for guiding a package through the machine; a'mechanism comprising a support disposed for movement towards and away from the package and including means for engaging certain of the articles within the package and withdrawing said articles therefrom, leaving an open space therein; a mechanism operable for placing a flexible strip over the open space thus formed in the package whereby, with the following movement of the first mentioned means-towards the package, the withdrawn articles are brought in contact with the strip for forcing the same into the package; means associated with the second mentioned mechanism and operable to effect the disengagement of the articles from the first mentioned mechanism whereby said articles and strip are left within the package; a mechanism operable for applying an adhesive to one end portion of said strip and securing the same to the package; and a mechanism for closing the package while guiding the free end portion of the strip so that the same remains outside the package.

7 19. In a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip in a package enclosing stacked articles: means for guiding a package through the machine; a mechanism comprising a support disposed for movement towards and away from the package and including means for ejecting certain of the articles within the package and withdrawing said articles therefrom, leaving an open space therein; a mechanism for feeding a strip of flexible material; a mechanism adapted to receive a length of the strip fed by said feeding mechanism and operable for placing the same over the open space in the package whereby, with the following movement of the first mentioned mechanism towards the package, the withdrawn articles are brought in contact with the intermediate portion of the strip for forcing the same into the package; and means associated with the strip receiving mechanism and operable to effect the disengagement of the articles from the first mentioned mechanism, whereby said articles and strip are left within the package.

20. In a machine for inserting a package opening and article ejecting strip in a package enclosing stacked articles: means for guiding a package through the machine; a mechanism comprising a support disposed for movement towards and away from the package and including means for ejecting certain of the articles within the package and withdrawing said articles therefrom, leaving an open space therein; a mechanism for feeding a strip of flexible material; a mechanism adapted to receive a length of the strip fed by said feeding mechanism and operable for ing and article ejecting strip in a package en- I placing the same over the open space in the package whereby, with the following movement of the first mentioned mechanism towards the package, the withdrawn articles are brought in contact (r with the intermediate portion of the strip for 

